The former child refugee won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, becoming the first Somali-born refugee woman elected to the British Parliament.
London, United Kingdom — Somali-born politician Sagal Abdi-Wali has been sworn in as a Labor MP in the United Kingdom, becoming the first Somali-born refugee woman elected to the British Parliament, according to the account of her election.
The 42-year-old took her seat in the House of Commons after winning the October 8 by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, a central London constituency previously represented by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Her victory kept the constituency under Labor control following Starmer’s resignation as an MP in September.
Sagal Abdi-Wali wins Holborn and St Pancras by-election
Abdi-Wali secured 12,292 votes, representing 45.2% of ballots cast, according to the reported election results.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski finished second with 8,928 votes.
The result secured Abdi-Wali a seat in the House of Commons, where she will represent Holborn and St Pancras.
From Somali refugee to British MP
Born in Somalia, Abdi-Wali arrived in Britain with her family as a child refugee during the 1990s.
She later became involved in community work and local government, serving as a councillor before becoming leader of Camden Council.
Her political career has been shaped by her experience of displacement and resettlement in the United Kingdom.
Abdi-Wali has said her refugee background influenced her commitment to public service and her understanding of the challenges faced by families rebuilding their lives in Britain.
Somali representation in UK Parliament
Abdi-Wali’s election adds to the representation of politicians with African backgrounds in British politics.
Her reported achievement as the first Somali-born refugee woman elected to Parliament also marks a milestone for the Somali diaspora in the United Kingdom.
She now moves from local government into national politics, representing a central London constituency in the House of Commons.
